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1 month ago | 
losaltosonline.com | Mary Larsen
Turning 100 on St. Patrick’s Day, Patricia (“Pat”) Densmore is the oldest, and perhaps the friendliest, resident of San Juan Court. Something of a rarity in an age of residents moving in and out at breakneck speed, this close-knit court, near Egan and Bullis Charter schools, is one where neighbors know – and like – each other. Priya Dharan, a San Juan Court resident since 1997, said Pat has “been like the queen of the court”: involved with and loved by her neighbors, young and old.
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Jan 21, 2025 | 
losaltosonline.com | Mary Larsen
I always dreamed of living on the coast, preferably within walking distance of a beach. For 10 years, I lived in chilly Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, where I was surrounded by water. But for months each winter, much of the beautiful deep blue became a sea of white ice. We knew spring was on the way when “pack ice” from out at sea arrived to fill the harbor and huge inland salt water lake.
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Nov 21, 2024 | 
losaltosonline.com | Mary Larsen
There have been a few exceptions to the normally mild Bay Area winters over the decades, notably – as shown in these photos of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills – in 1962, 1976 and 1978. Snow angels, anyone? In her blog (robinchapmannews.blogspot.com), Chapman continues: “… Snow covered the ground on the San Francisco Peninsula (one of only 10 such days since 1852, according to the U.S. Weather Service). I remember the day so clearly.
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Nov 21, 2024 | 
losaltosonline.com | Mary Larsen
To me, nothing says fall and winter like the spicy scent of ginger wafting from the oven. Gingersnaps were apparently first created by German monks around 1296. They made their way around Europe and came over to America with the English colonists and have been popular ever since. An interesting bit of trivia: Zu Zu Ginger Snaps were first manufactured in 1901 by the National Biscuit Company, which later became Nabisco.
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Nov 12, 2024 | 
losaltosonline.com | Mary Larsen
One might not think that washable sanitary pads could be a life-changer, but they are – to tens of thousands of girls around the world. When England-born Los Altos resident Brenda Birrell first heard about the problem of girls in developing countries dropping out of school at alarming rates – and discovered the reason for it – she was heartbroken. More than 20 million girls in the developing world drop out of school every year because they lack supplies to manage their period.
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Sep 17, 2024 | 
losaltosonline.com | Mary Larsen
A number of fun and meaningful events for seniors are coming up in the local area. From hikes and tours to luncheons and creative endeavors, there are activities for everyone. Following are a few ideas to mark on your calendar (but most require pre-registration, so be sure to do that first). • Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Senior Creativity Event: The Flames of Creativity. This free event, held at the Highway Community at 2050 Miramonte Ave.
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Jul 23, 2024 | 
losaltosonline.com | Mary Larsen
A mysterious beginning, an inauspicious middle, a happy ending (and hopefully a long one). Such is the story of Acorn, formerly “Glitz,” adopted by the Strom family of Los Altos from Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. Muttville representative Patty Stanton said that the nonprofit, based in San Francisco and in operation for 17 years, rescues senior dogs over age seven from shelter partners and from people no longer able to care for their dogs.
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May 19, 2024 | 
hmbreview.com | Mary Larsen
Did you ever wonder who made the great blue heron sculpture that once stood at the south end of Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica? Or the giant pinwheels or cliff-hugging gliders? Here he is: Alex Griffiths. A jack-of-all-trades who says he can do anything from auto repair to plumbing and yard work, Griffiths is best known locally for his art, even if his works are anonymous and often disappear shortly after installation. Born in Rome to English parents, Griffiths was one of eight children.
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May 14, 2024 | 
losaltosonline.com | Mary Larsen
Medical marijuana has long been used as an aide for chronic pain. Cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis patients and migraine sufferers are among those who have been helped by forms of the plant. Relatively recently, usage has become more widespread. Where it was once used for serious pain relief or for the “high” it can produce, more people are discovering that forms of the drug can be used for a number of common ailments ranging from insomnia and anxiety to ordinary aches and pains.
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Mar 13, 2024 | 
losaltosonline.com | Mary Larsen
Longtime Mountain View resident Elzene Yancey recently celebrated her 104th birthday. With parties at home, at her church and in her neighborhood, she rang in her new year surrounded by family and friends. Elzene is proud of her birth date and year playing important roles in U.S. history. She was born Jan. 16, 1920, the day Prohibition began. Later that year, the 19th Amendment – granting women the right to vote – was ratified.
